Unlike the winter of 2002/2003 when Theo Epstein basically flipped a coin between Brad Fulmer and David Ortiz, Boston has the wherewithal the go out and get whomever they wish with a much more scientific approach.

Here I've offered five names that seem to make sense (to me, at least). The first two are free agent signings, whereas the other three are trades.

Either way, Big Papi will leave massive shoes to fill both on the field and off. His eventual replacement will need to produce immediate results or risk the wrath of Red Sox Nation.

Michael Young

Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images

Age: 35 (as of Wednesday, October 19th)

2011 Salary: $16 million

2011 Stats: .338/11/106

For this to happen there are a lot of factors that would need to fall in to place.

First, Michael Young's contract is somewhat complicated with his limited no-trade clause and 10-5 rights. Included in this is the list he submitted to the Rangers of the eight teams he OK'd as trade destinations.

Boston is not one of them.

Second, the outcome of the World Series may weigh heavily on his decision if presented with a trade.

Third, staff ace CJ Wilson is the crown jewel of the free agent pitchers. If he stays, regardless of the World Series result, Young may wish to stay as well.

Fourth, what will be the Rangers' demands? Is Boston willing to give up a player like Josh Reddick? They may.

Young is a career .304 hitter who still possesses a great infield glove (although not at the Gold Glove level he once had) which provides some great defensive flexibility late in games.

Yonder Alonso

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Age: 24

2011 Salary: $600,000

2011 Stats: .330/5/15 (in 47 games)

The rumor mill is churning with Joey Votto trade talk but unless Boston is willing to relinquish Anthony Renaudo, Josh Redick, Kolbrin Vitek and a legit current roster player, the Canadian slugger will not be plying his trade for the Red Sox.

However, Votto's understudy Yonder Alonso may prove to be a much cheaper option (Reddick to start plus one more player), and potentially just as productive.

The 24-year-old phenom possesses incredible power with a highly advanced batting eye that may remind some Boston fans of current first baseman Adrian Gonzales.

Alonso can also play a bit of outfield so it's possible for him to rotate with Gonzo at first and Darnell McDonald in the outfield to maintain roster flexibility.

This is just the type of move a new GM might want to make to announce his arrival.

Paul Konerko

The Chicago White Sox are currently undergoing a mini-rebuild and Paul Konerko is the kind of aging veteran that may fetch a nice cache of young players.

Besides, Dayan Viciedo is the future at first base for the Pale Sox so moving Konerko is both realistic and pragmatic.

Boston provides Konerko with a significantly better shot at winning another World Series and he might find the prospect of hitting at Fenway 81 times a year (he's a righty) too enticing to refuse a deal to Beantown.